One Christmas all I wanted from Santa was a black cat that meowed. At Christmas there is always that one gift you just can't seem to live without. For Ralphie that one ultimate gift is a Red Ryder BB gun with a compass in the stock and this thing which tells time. Set in 1940s America, A Christmas Story should be dated but it would seem that 70 years later nothing has changed. Kids still want things that parents don't want to get them and kids still manage to find away around it. There is no greater portrait of a family in the run up to Christmas than A Christmas Story. It's smart, funny and relatable. Having said that I have never seen the appeal of a BB gun, but toy cats with voice boxes, yes please.
A CHRISTMAS STORY
The Christmas Story
Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) and his family are getting ready for the big day. Ralphie only wants one thing and he is determined to get it. However his parents and his teacher know better than to get a young boy a BB gun and whenever he brings it up he is quickly shot down with five of the most dis-heartening words in Ralphie's dictionary "You'll shoot your eye out". However, that is not enough to deter Ralphie as he endeavours to subtly plant the idea in his parents minds. We also get to hear the infamous story of the sexy leg lamp, see Ralphie overcome bullies and stand long lines with a creepy kid. 5/5
The Voice of Christmas
An older Ralphie (played by the screenwriter) is the narrator throughout the film and, as a lover of long, flowing, complex sentences, he is amazing. Some highlights include "Only one thing could've dragged me away from the soft glow of electric sex gleaming in the window" and "Aunt Clara had labored under the delusion that I was not only perpetually 4 years old, but also and girl" and ". Whether or not his fabulous prose means he is the ideal Voice of Christmas I can't say for sure. He spouts much wisdom that intend to use in the upcoming days and for that I'll mark him high. 4/5
The Annoying Kid At Christmas
That creepy kid in the line is quite frankly brilliant. He just stands there staring at Ralphie naming things he likes. We all like The Wizard of Oz kid you don't need to tell me in your creepy whispery voice. In the film it's funny but just for a moment lets close our eyes and plant ourselves in Ralphie's shoes. There you are standing in the queue, anxious to meet Santa so you can get your perfect present before the store closes and in front of you stands this creepy kid. He doesn't say anything at first but then he turns around and just stares at you with a little toothy grin. He clearly doesn't brush his teeth regularly. How annoyed would you be? 4/5
The Christmas Miracle
The kid gets the gun! I mean how many times have you opened all of your Christmas presents left feeling a little disappointed that you haven't got something or other. If you are anything like me the answer is often. Ralphie goes through this whole film desperate for this awesome BB gun and he gets it. Lovely. Warms my heart and like any good Christmas film, it causes me to have even higher expectations for this year. 3/5
The Christmas Message
Persistence is key to any true desire. People will always tell you to quit or stop or that you have already failed. But you know what. Stick with it and you will get what it is that you want. But make sure it's something nice. I mean if you really want to kill someone you should probably quit now and seek some help. BUT! If you want a new job, that's probably a good thing. My rule is as long as what you do makes you and others happy you should be good. I don't know if that is very Christmassy but I like it. 3/5
Additional Points
- The Dad (Darren McGavin) and the Mum (Melinda Dillon) are brilliant +2
Overall Festivity Score: 21/25
Tomorrow Scrooge Cos Apparently he is a Popular Christmas Time Character
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